Locking mechanism for legs of folding tables



Feb. 3, 1959 H. KLINE, SR 2,372,262,

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LEGS OF FOLDING TABLES Filed July 29, 1958 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTCI RN EYE Feb. 3, 1959 H. KLINE, SR 2,372,262

LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LEGS OF FOLDING TABLES Filed July 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 #[1955 197' /(A //VE, Sr.

'ATTD RN EYE States LOCKING MECHANISM FOR LEGS F FOLDING TABLES Herbert Kline, Sr., Colfax, Iowa Application July 29, 1958, Serial No. 751,697

2 Claims. (Cl. 311-88).

This invention relates to a table, and more particularly to a table of the folding or collapsible type.

The object of the invention is to provide a table which can be folded when it is not being used so that it will occupy a minimum amount of space for storage or shipment, and wherein when the table is being used, the legs can be readily moved to an extended or open position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a folding table which includes a novel means for retaining or maintaining the legs open or folded, and wherein the legs will not accidentally collapse when the table is being used.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding table which is extremely simple and inexpensive' to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

Figure l is a side elevational view of the folding table of the present invention, and showing the legs in open or extended position as for example when the table is to be used.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the table, showing the legs in folded or collapsed position.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the legs in open position.

Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating one of the spring holding mechanisms.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing the legs in closed position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom plan View showing the legs in closed position.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates the folding table of the present invention which comprises a top member that is indicated generally by the numeral 20. As shown in Figure 3 for example, the top member 20 includes upper and lower spaced parallel panels 11 and 12. The numeral 13 indicates a frame which is arranged contiguous to the outer portion of the top member 20, and the frame 13 includes spaced parallel end pieces 14 as well as spaced parallel longitudinally extending sidepieces 15. Rollers or wheels 16 are adapted to be connected to the side'pieces for use in moving the table along a surface as for example when the table is in folded position. The numeral 17 indicates base members which may be secured or positioned between the panels 11 and 12.

Arranged adjacent each end of the top member and positioned therebelow is a bracket which is indicated generally by the numeral 18. There are two of the brackets 18, and each bracket 18 has the same construction and each comprises a first section 19 which is contiguous to an end of the lower panel 12. Each bracket 18 further includes a second section 21 which L is arranged at right angles with respect to the first secatent tion 19, and a third section 22 is arranged at right angles with respect to the second section 21. Arranged at right angles with respect to the third section 22 is a fourth section 23, and arranged at right angles to the fourth section 23 is a fifth section 25. The fifth section 25 is provided with openings 24, Figure 4, whereby suitable securing elements such as screws 26 can be extended through the openings 24 and into engagement with the base member 17, which is arranged contiguous thereto.

There is further provided a pair of spring members which are indicated generally by the numerals 27 and 28, Figure 4. The spring member 27 includes an inclined portion 29 which has an end 30 secured as by welding to the section 22 of the bracket 18. The spring member 27 further includes a straight portion 31 which is movably mounted in an opening 32 of the section 22,

and a lip 33 is arranged at right angles with respect to the straight portion 31.

The other spring member 28 is similar in construction to the spring member 27, and it will be seen that the spring member 28 includes an inclined portion 35 which has one end 36 secured as by welding to the section 22. The spring member 28 further includes a straight portion 37 which movably projects through an opening 38 in the section 22, and a flange 39 is arranged at right angles with respect to the straight portion 37.

The numeral 40 indicates bearings which are mounted below the top member 20, and the bearings 40 may be secured in place to the base member 17 by means of securing elements 41. A pair of spaced parallel shafts or rods 42 are rotatably supported in the bearings 40, and the numeral 43 designates each of a pair of legs which are secured as by welding to a corresponding shaft 42.

Braces d4 extend between the shafts 42 and legs 43 and are secured thereto in any suitable manner.

The numeral 457 designates each of a pair of body members, and each body member 45 embodies a pair of angularly arranged arms 46 which are pivotally connected to the legs 43 by means of pivot pins 47. Each body member 45 further includes a web or connecting portion 4-8 which extends between the arms 46.

As shown in Figure 3, a lip or stop member 49 extends from each of the sections 21 and is secured thereto or formed integral therewith, and the lips 49 coact with the adjacent portions to define a space for a purpose to be later described. A space 51 is also defined in a corner of each bracket 18, Figures 3 and 5.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a folding table which can be used for any desired purpose. As shown in Figure l for example the legs 43 are in open or extended position so that the table is set up ready to be used. In Figure 2 the legs are shown in folded or collapsed position as for example when the table is not being used. According to the present invention there is provided a novel mechanism for retaining the legs in either their folded or open position so that accidental movement of these legs is prevented.

For example as shown in Figure 3 the legs are in open position which corresponds to the position shown in Figure l, and in this position of Figure 3 the webs or connecting portions 48 of the body members 45 are received in the space 50. With the web 48 in the space 50 which is defined by the lip 49 and sections 21 and 19, it will be seen that the straight portion 31 of the spring member 27 will prevent the web 48 from accidentally moving out of the space 50 so that the legs 43 will be maintained in open or extended position. Then, when it is desired to fold or collapse the table, it is only necessary to manually engage the flange 33 and pull of the inclined portion 29 of the spring member 27.'

Then; the web 48 can move from the position shown in Figure 3 to the position shown in Figure 5 when the table is not being .used, and the web 48 is adapted to then be received in the space 51. When the web 48' is in the space 51 as shown in Figure 5, the straight portion 37 of the spring member 28' acts as a shoulder so as to prevent accidental movement of the web 43 from the space 51.

To move the parts from the position shown in Fig-- ure 5 to theposition shown in Figure 3, it is only necessary to manually engage and pull downwardly on the flange 39 so that the straight portion 37 will move downthrough the opening 38 whereby the springiness of the inclined portion 351 of the spring member 28 will permit the web dtl'to'rnove out of the space 5It'and back to the space 50.

Thus, it will be seen that the legs ,will be held irnmobile in either their open or folded position, andthere is no possibility of the legs accidentally moving, since in order to move the legs it is first necessary to manually actuate the spring members 27 or 28.

The legs 43 are secured to the shafts 42 which are rotatably supported in the bearings 40, and the body members 45 have their ends pivotally connected to the legs 43'as at 4'7. The webs or connecting portions 48 are arranged at the intermediate portions of the body members 45.

When pressure is released on the flanges 33 or 39, the inherent resiliency of the spring members 2'7 and 28 return the spring members to the positions shown in Figure 3 or Figure 5.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

The table of the present invention can be used for any desired purpose, as for example it can be used as a banquet table, or for a table in the home, or it can be used at beaches or the like, and the table will not accidentally collapse when being used, even though considerable weight or pressure is placed on the table in open position. Furthermore, the table will not tip over and there is sufiicient space for a persons legs or feet below the table. The rollers 16 permit the table to be readily rolled along the ground or floor or the like instead of having to carry the table, as for example when the table is folded. The spring members are adapted to be actuated by means of a slight manual pressure applied thereto.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

1. In a folding table, a top member, base members secured to said top member, a bracket mounted below each end portion of the.top member, each of said brackets including a first section contiguous to the bottom of the top member, a second section arranged at right angles with respect to said first section, a third section arranged at right angles to said second section, a fourth section arranged at right angles to said third section, a fifth section arranged at rightangles to said fourth section, and said fifth section being secured to the adjacentbase member, a pair of spring members each including an inclined portion having anend secured to the third section of said bracket, there being a pair of spaced apart openings in said third section, a straight portion extending from each inclined portion and movably extending through a corresponding opening in said third section, a flange arranged at right angles with respect to the lower end of each straight portion, bearings mounted below said topmember, a pair of shafts rotatably supported by said bearings, a pair of legs secured to each shaft, braces extending between said legs and shafts, body members each including a pair of angularly arranged arms pivotally connected to said legs, and a web connecting each pair of arms together, and a lip extending from the second section of each bracket and defining a space for at times receiving the corresponding web therein.

2. In a folding table, a top member, base members secured to said top member, a bracket mounted below each end-portion of thetop member, a pair of spring members each including an inclined portion having an end secured to said bracket, there being a pair of spaced apart openings in said bracket, a straight portion extending from each inclined portion and movably extending through a corresponding opening in said bracket, a flange arranged at right angles with respect to the lower end of each straight portion, bearings mounted below said top member, a pair of shafts rotatably supported by said bearings, a pair of legs secured to each shaft,

races extending between said legs and shafts, body-- members each including a pair of angularly arranged arms pivotally connected to said legs, and a web connecting each pair of arms together, and a lip extend ing from the second section of each bracket and defining a space for at times receiving the corresponding web therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED'STATES PATENTS 827,673 Swart July 21, 1906 2,508,627 Spiegel et al.-' May 23, 1950 2,695,828 Witkowiak- Nov; 30, 1954 2,712,486 Kleinsorge- July 5, 1955 

